Deuteronomy 10:1

ยถ At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

At that time {H6256} the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Hew {H6458} thee two {H8147} tables {H3871} of stone {H68} like unto the first {H7223}, and come up {H5927} unto me into the mount {H2022}, and make {H6213} thee an ark {H727} of wood {H6086}.

"At that time ADONAI said to me, 'Cut yourself two stone tablets like the first ones, come up to me on the mountain, and make yourself an ark of wood.

At that time the LORD said to me, โ€œChisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood.

At that time Jehovah said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:1 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, where God commands Moses to prepare new tables of stone and an ark to house them, signifying the renewal of the covenant after the devastating incident of the golden calf. This verse highlights God's enduring grace and His commitment to His people, even in the face of their rebellion.

Context of Deuteronomy 10:1

Moses, on the plains of Moab, is recounting to the Israelites the critical events of their wilderness wanderings, specifically focusing on the giving and renewal of the Law. "At that time" refers to the period immediately following Israel's profound sin of idolatry with the golden calf, which led Moses to break the first tablets of the Law. Despite their egregious failure, God, in His mercy, calls Moses back to Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb) to receive a second set of commandments, demonstrating His willingness to restore the broken covenant relationship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covenant Renewal and Divine Grace: The command to "hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first" underscores God's initiative to restore the covenant He made with Israel. Itโ€™s a powerful display of divine forgiveness, offering a second chance despite human sin. This act of renewal provides hope that God's faithfulness endures even when His people fail.
  • The Enduring Importance of God's Law: The need for new tables emphasizes that God's commandments are fundamental to His relationship with Israel. They are not discarded due to human disobedience but are reaffirmed as the bedrock of their national and spiritual identity.
  • The Symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant: The instruction to "make thee an ark of wood" is significant. This Ark, later known as the Ark of the Covenant, was designed to house these sacred tablets. It became the central symbol of God's presence and His dwelling among His people, serving as a constant reminder of His covenant promises and His holy presence in their midst.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "hew," pasal (ืคืกืœ), implies a process of cutting and shaping stone, indicating that Moses was to prepare the raw material, unlike the first set of tablets which God Himself prepared. This subtle difference highlights human involvement in the preparation of the second set, though God would still write the words upon them. The term for "ark," aron (ืืจื•ืŸ), refers to a chest or coffer, specifically designed to contain the tablets of the Law, making it the most sacred object in Israel.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 10:1 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of second chances, always willing to restore those who genuinely repent, even after significant failures. His grace is abundant, and His desire for relationship with His people is steadfast. Just as the Law was central to Israel's identity, God's unchanging word remains foundational for our lives. Moreover, the concept of God dwelling among His people, symbolized by the Ark, foreshadows the ultimate indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers and the presence of Christ with His church, affirming that God desires to be intimately involved in our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 34:1 (6 votes)

    ยถ And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon [these] tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.

  • Exodus 34:2 (6 votes)

    And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.

  • Exodus 25:10 (3 votes)

    ยถ And they shall make an ark [of] shittim wood: two cubits and a half [shall be] the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

  • Exodus 25:15 (3 votes)

    The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

  • Exodus 34:4 (2 votes)

    And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.

  • Deuteronomy 10:3 (2 votes)

    And I made an ark [of] shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

  • Deuteronomy 10:4 (2 votes)

    And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.